All Aero

The Air Tractor AT-802 was designed primarily for the air tanker role. It was the first single engined fire fighter (as the AT-802F) to be designed from the ground up and with a similar hopper capacity to the twin engined Grumman S2F’s used by the Californian Division of Forestry.

Air Tractor AT-802 / OA-1K Skyraider II Article

The AT-802 is, in appearance, an enlarged AT-503. The length is 3l feet and the wingspan is 58 feet. The 800 gallon hopper also incorporates computer controlled hopper doors to drop the load of retardant as required. The first dual cockpit AT-802, N802LS, was flown on 30 October 1990, and was fitted with a P&W PT6A-67R of 1424 hp. By the time the aircraft was ready for production, it was certified for the installation of a PT6A-4SR or -6SB, both of 1173 hp. A single seat version, the AT-802A, N 1558W, flew on 6 July 1992, fitted with a -6SB turbine. The empty weight for the single seater is 6200 lbs and they both have an operating weight of 16000 lbs.
The introduction of Hoerner wingtips increased the span to 59.2 ft and a 2 in extencion of the engine mount was incorporated to ease the C of G limit on the two seaters.

Croatia ordered three AT-802A Fire Boss amphibians, the first delivered to Zadar-Zemunik in March 2007.

The U.S. Air Force’s newest light attack and reconnaissance aircraft, the OA-1K Skyraider II, was undergoing developmental testing in July 2025 at Eglin Air Force Base as part of its path toward operational service within Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

According to the Air Force, the aircraft is being evaluated by the 96th Test Wing in partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command to verify its airworthiness and validate manufacturer L3Harris’ performance claims. The effort also includes mission-effectiveness assessments to determine how well the aircraft performs in austere and remote environments, where AFSOC personnel often operate.
The OA-1K Skyraider II is designed as a cost-effective, crewed aircraft capable of supporting special operations forces in geographically isolated regions. It is equipped for mission sets that include close air support, precision strike, and armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The platform is based on the rugged AT-802 airframe and has been adapted for military use with integrated sensors and weapons systems.
One of the Skyraider II’s most distinctive features is its tailwheel landing gear—a configuration not seen on an active-duty U.S. Air Force aircraft in over 50 years. This unusual design element required the test team to develop new evaluation methods tailored to the aircraft’s landing characteristics.
“There was quite a bit that went into this, from making sure we were compliant on the regulatory side, to ensuring we had the proper operations support for the Skyraider II,” said Maj. Stephen Wakefield of the 96th Test Wing.
Due to the unique configuration, Air Force pilots received additional training using the Skyraider II’s civilian counterpart, the AT-802, to gain proficiency with tailwheel aircraft handling. The Air Force says this type of training was essential to safely operate the aircraft during its early evaluation phase.
Maj. Jacob Marsh, a test pilot with the 96th TW, said flying the OA-1K has been both demanding and rewarding. “Flying the OA-1K has been a rewarding experience and certainly something that has required me to bring my skills to work every day,” Marsh said. “The fun of flying it is just a perk of the job.”
Marsh, who previously flew un-augmented UH-1N helicopters at the United States Naval Test Pilot School, noted the coordination required in the OA-1K shares similarities with rotary-wing operations, particularly at lower airspeeds.
The test campaign has so far included evaluations of human factors, handling qualities, and austere landing capabilities. Future trials will involve weapons release and sensor performance tests.
The manufacturer, L3Harris, states the aircraft can fly at 245 miles per hour at 10,000 feet and has a range of 1,500 miles at an altitude of 8,000 feet.
The Skyraider II is being positioned as a rugged, flexible platform that can operate from unprepared runways and support combat operations where more complex and expensive aircraft may be unavailable or unsustainable. This matches AFSOC’s need for adaptable aircraft in environments where logistics are limited and risk is high.
While the Skyraider II is not intended to replace high-performance fighters or dedicated ISR platforms, it offers commanders a versatile tool to support missions ranging from overwatch and target identification to rapid strike against time-sensitive threats—all while operating from forward locations with minimal infrastructure.

AT-802
Engine: PT6A-67R, 1425 hp
Capacity: 800 USG
Seats: 2
Empty weight: 6200 lb
Operating weight: 16000 lb
Length: 3l feet
Wingspan: 58 feet

Engine: PT6A-67AG, 1414 shp

AT-802A
Engine: PT6A -6SB, 1173 hp
Operating weight: 16000 lb

AT-802AF
Engine: PT6A-67AF